Aertsen, Pieter (1508–1575), called "Long Peter" because of his height, was a Dutch historical painter. He was born and died in Amsterdam, and painted there and in Antwerp, Belgium. As a youth, he apprenticed with Allaert Claesz.A pioneer of still-life and genre painting, he is best known for scenes that at first glance look like pure examples of these types, but which in fact have a religious scene incorporated in them. Aertsen was the head of a long dynasty of painters, of whom the most talented was his nephew and pupil Joachim Beuckelaer. Several of Aertsen's best works, including altarpieces in various churches, were destroyed in the Netherland's religious wars.